Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do - Music - 2017 Summer Playlist Essentials.

Hi!!!

Before I begin, I just wanted to say that my thoughts are with the people affected by the events in Manchester earlier this week - I was shocked by the news, and cannot imagine how the families and friends of the victims, the injured and the community of Manchester are feeling. My heart goes out to them all. All I can say is that we must hold onto our faith in hope, love and goodness, support each other wherever we can, and remember those whose lives have been lost.

Today I have some songs that are essential for your summer playlists, especially when it's as sunny as it is in the UK right now - getting outside (with plenty of SPF) and blasting these songs at top volume is the perfect way to enjoy this summertime weather.

'Malibu' by Miley Cyrus.

I love Miley Cyrus - I had done since she started at Disney and have followed and loved her music ever since. In this Billboard interview (which is one of the best things I've read so far this year) she spoke about her newest release, 'Malibu', and I spent days waiting for it - I actually squealed when it appeared in my suggestions on YouTube. 'Malibu' is a beautiful love song, that combines rock and pop elements with a sense of delicacy and vulnerability. Miley's voice the focal point, and this song just showcases how rich and how strong her voice is. In some ways, its a calm track, but a very upbeat and joyful one which will send your brain straight to a happy place, and put you in mind of the beach.

'I'm the One' by DJ Kahled, Justin Beiber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne.

This has already been at number 1 in the UK chart, and is firmly in the Top 5, and it isn't hard to see why. This is again a really chill, understated track musically, and Justin Beiber's vocals really lift the chorus. You could totally dance to this but it's also pretty chill, and I love that versatility. I think the choice of rappers on this track is spot on and their verses are awesome - I think they showcase rap in such a positive way. I'm a big fan of all of these artists individually and I think that together, they have created such a great collaboration, and I think it's worth the hype it's been getting.

'Love's Run Out' by Circa Waves.

We all know by now that I am the biggest Circa Waves fan, and I rattle on about their music to anyone who'll listen. This track is so soothing and so heartfelt. It makes you slow down and take a moment. It shows their Liverpudlian roots clear as day - I can definitely hear the influence of The Beatles on this (as well as other 60s groups). The production is amazing, making it sound like a treasure found from the past, with a slightly crackle-y, viynl feel to its sound. The lyrics are gorgeous and so simple, creating a sublime love song that I couldn't help falling for.

Thank you so much for reading. I hope this post has brought some joy to your day, and I'm sure these songs will too.

What songs are essential to your summer playlists this year? Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Leave a comment and let me know.

Speak soon, big love.

I hope your day is full of sunshine!

GingerSnaps xxx

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do - Music - Let's Discuss People's Obession With Owning Music (And Bands And Singers).

Hi!!!

How are things, guys? I hope you're all having a nice week. I've had the idea to write a post like this one for ages but today I found a little spark of inspiration to sit down and type this (always a nice feeling). So, without further ado, let's talk about people, music and their ideas of ownership.

 



The little spark of inspiration came from scrolling through the comments on a YouTube video. I like to consume my music in various ways - I like listening to CDs and I like watching music videos, sometimes on MTV, and sometimes, when I want to listen to something particular or new, I like using YouTube. The majority of the videos in my YouTube history and recomendations are music related.

 

Today I clicked onto Sam Tsui's channel - if you're not subscribed then oh my goodness, go and listen to his amazing mashups please - and saw a cover of 'Stressed Out' by Twenty One Pilots. I decided to watch it because I really like Twenty One Pilots and I love Sam's covers. And, as I often do, I had a little scroll through the comments while I was listening.

 

It was in the comments sections that I saw things like, and I am paraphrasing here, "It's weird that this song has become mainstream" and "I miss when I could say Twenty One Pilots and no one knew who they were". This kind of thing bothers me.

I understand it, I really do. As someone who listens to and loves indie music and as someone who likes to hunt out new bands and music, I understand that sense of "wait, what?" when you first hear some of those acts being played on the radio. But my "wait, what?" is out of excitement. I want the bands and singers that I love to be able to continue making music and that is made a whole lot easier by more radio play. When I listen to things, especially new bands, its likely that I'll share their songs with at least one person, but if it don't then that isn't because I want to hold an exclusive listening right to them. It's because I listen to a lot of music and I might forget or I mightn't know anyone that I think would particularly love it.

 

However, it isn't necessarily those people or those comments that bother me, so much as the comments such as, and I quote, "...they're not ours anymore...". Excuse me, what? They were never yours. But I find this happens all the time. People think that because they own the albums, know the words to the songs, maybe because they've seen a gig or two, that the music and the artist is theirs. What people seem to fail to grasp, is that they own the songs and the CDs and the gig tickets and the merchandise. They don't own the people. They might feel connected to their favourite musicians - I certainly do - but that doesn't mean that they are yours and yours alone to keep in a little bubble of 'lesser-known-ness'.

These people are ultimately trying to make a living. They love what they do and they love the people that support them and they are lucky to have such great opportunities but they have bills to pay. They want to be able, as I think many of us do, to be able to make a career out of what they love doing and you can't make a career if your fans are trapping you inside a little bubble of 'lesser-known-ness'.

 

I remember when The Arctic Monkeys released 'AM' a few years ago and people kept telling me how long they'd been listening to The Arctic Monkeys and how they had specifically been the ones to get me into their music and so on and so forth. Some people treated the new album and the band like a book they were letting me borrow - like it was theirs and they'd want it back when I was done, like they'd have bought the sequel before me. Here's the thing though, I'm a huge Arctics fan, I like so many of their songs. I'm an Alex Turner fan, for that matter - his soundtrack for Submarine was just incredible. But they are not 'my' band as they are not anyone's band, no matter how they feel about it, and I wouldn't want it to be like that.

 

A song by Circa Waves was featured in a TV advert last year. I think it was 'My Love' but I only saw it a few times so I couldn't be sure. And when I first saw it, I was a felt a little bit weird - but not because 'my music' was going to end up in the 'mainstream', just because I wanted more for them than advert music. That's a different thing.

 

I love feeling like I'm in on the start of something great or I'm in a little club of people who also own all three albums and dance around their house to the songs I like best. But at the same time, I like to see artists grow. I like the micro-communities that bands and singers are capable of forming. And most of all, I'm in it for the music. It doesn't matter to me whether things are cool or mainstream or new or old. It matters to me that I enjoy the songs, that the guitars are played well, that the violins are in tune and that whoever is singing has a voice I love.

 

And with that, I'm off to listen to some Van Morrison. And you can too, if you so wish, I don't mind sharing.

 

Thank you for reading this post, I know its a bit different but hopefully you enjoyed it.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree with me or do you think I'm way off base? Do you have any music recomendations for me? Lets all discuss this stuff in the comments below.

Speak soon, my lovelies.

 

Go forth and listen to your favourite songs!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

 

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do! - Music - Let's Talk About... - Circa Waves.

Hi!!!

Oh, hey there! Happy October! So, I'm a big ol' music lover - as I am sure you know by now - and a something that always makes me happy are my newest musical discoveries. Sometimes they are artists that are just starting out, sometimes they are artists that I cannot believe I didn't know about before and have several albums to explore, sometimes they are current, sometimes from decades ago. Anyway, today I want to share a discovery I made a quite a few months ago now and that I am delighted I found.

Let's Talk About Circa Waves.

 

Circa Waves are relatively new (indie) kids on the block. They are a band from Liverpool with an incredibly cool sound.
They have that awesome indie disco thing going for them which means that their songs have the versatility to be danced to or to be sat and listened to which is always good.
If you are into fantastic, upbeat, guitar-heavy songs with a great music and lyrics (and who isn't?) and fancy listening to something new then I would highly recommend giving Circa Waves a listen.

Four of my favourite songs by Circa Waves:

• "T Shirt Weather" (LISTEN HERE)
• "Stuck In My Teeth" (LISTEN HERE)
• "My Love" (LISTEN HERE)
• "Fossils" (LISTEN HERE)

Three reasons to love Circa Waves:

• Their fantastic music and lyrics which make up their unique sound.
• I could honestly get lost in their songs and listen to them for ages which is always a good sign.
• The aesthetic of their music videos - might sound a bit odd, but for me, it can be make or break and in this case, it makes it.

 Two of things I would like:

• Their debut album, "Young Chasers", in actual CD form (FIND IT HERE)
• Tickets to their upcoming tour - who wants to join me? (FIND IT HERE)

One of my favourite interviews related to Circa Waves:

• This is one of the only ones I could find - Vevo Dscvr (WATCH IT HERE)

That is all I have to say to you today then, you lovely lot. I hope that you have enjoyed this and that maybe you've discovered something new through this post.

Are you a Circa Waves fan? Or have I brought them to your attention? What do you think of their music? Would you like to see more "Let's Talk About" posts? Any comments or suggestions for things in the future? Be sure to let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading, I'll see you soon!

 

Have the most fantastically brilliant day!

GingerSnaps xxx

 

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do! - Music - Some Current Favourite Summer Sounds.

Hi!!!

What's up, guys? I had an absolutely wonderful birthday on Friday and I'm back from my little "birthday break" with today's post. I thought that I'd fill you guys in on some of my favourite songs at the moment - I really enjoy putting posts like this together and hopefully you enjoy reading them!

"T Shirt Weather" by Circa Waves (HERE)

 

This song has fantastic music and lyrics and an awesome vibe.

I am absolutely in love with it and have been since I first heard it.

 It is a great one to dance around to but is equally well suited for a road tripping soundtrack and even just something a bit different to listen to when all you want to do is sit down and listen to some music (as I often do).

"Stronger" by Clean Bandit (HERE)

This song is brilliant.

 It is a real bop about, lift your mood, sing along with a smile kind of song and whenever I hear it, it puts a big smile on my face.

 I really like Clean Bandit and their unique sound and this song does a great job in showing off their musical abilities (violins and cellos? Yes please!) and their fun side.

"Shut Up and Dance" by Walk The Moon (HERE)

I'm fairly sure everyone has been loving this song (even a little bit) lately and it isn't hard to see why in my book.

It's fun, it's catchy, it's a cracking tune with some ace lyrics behind it and I just really, really like it - a lot. 

This is definitely one I like to turn up a few notches whenever it comes on - it's a proper summer tune.

And that's your lot for today, folks. Thanks for reading.

What are your favourite songs and new discoveries at the moment? Have you discovered anything new through this post? What do you think of my picks? Do you have any ideas to share or comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments below.

I shall see you guys again soon.

 

Have a fantastic day today!

GingerSnaps xxx